The Dollie & Crafts Plugboard

If you've known me for awhile you know that I have a LOT of websites and blogs so starting another website and blog might sound a little crazy to you.

Well, it is and it isn't.

You see I've been mulling something over in my head for close to a year now. It has to do with being a small business crafter online and has to do with my experiences with that and with my experiences trying to find everything I need in one place.

There's just SO MUCH that you need for your websites and blogs and just SO MANY places to look. I wanted to make that a little easier, especially when it concerns e-products.

So, I thought that an EVERYTHING E-DIRECTORY to be "YOUR ONE SOURCE FOR EVERYTHING E FOR CRAFTS" would be a perfect solution for small business artists and crafters and e-hobbyists alike. Everything in one place.

Whether you’re looking for E-Patterns, E-Books, E-Tutorials, E-Pictorials, E-Classes, E-Printables, Graphics, Video’s, Podcasts, Blogs, E-Zines, E-Tailers, E-Stores, E-Directories, E-Communities, Handmade Crafts Websites, Crafts Suppliers, Crafting Plugboards, Website Hosting, Picture Hosting, Crafting Topsites, Crafting Twitters and FACEBOOK Crafters, E-Products Classifieds, E-Products Specials, Free Craft E-Products and more we are your one source for EVERYTHING E for your crafting needs.

One place to list all your websites and blogs - even your products. Something suitable and affordable for the newest of small business crafters to the more experienced artist and crafter.

You can list your websites, blogs, and even single products, and you can have your website, blog, even single products as featured advertising. We've got lots of options and lots of possibilities. And, of course, plenty of "freebies."

And, like I do with everything, I have an EVERYTHING E FOR CRAFTS E-DIRECTORY BLOG to support the Everything E-Directory. All our listings members and 12 month featured advertisers will have links back to their websites, blogs, and/or products on the sidebar of the blog. And, we'll have monthly posting for our listing members and 12 month featured advertisers "Latest News", "Contest" and "Specials." And, whenever anyone lists their website. blog, or product or advertises their website, blog, or product we'll post about it during that month. It's a win-win for small business crafters and more experienced crafters alike.

Listing in the Everything E-Directory is FREE and easy to do. Your listing contains a clickable 125x125 button banner for your website and/or blog, or clickable 125x125 product picture on the applicable e-directory category page. It also contains a clickable text link back to your website, blog, or product page as well as a short website, blog, or product description on the applicable e-directory category page.

Advertising in the Everything E-Directory and/or Everything E For Crafts E-Directory Blog is also easy to do and is very affordable. For the featured advertising we offer you a choice of either a button banner or product picture on the applicable section of the HOME page of the Everything E-Directory, top of the applicable Everything E-Directory category page, top of the Everything E For Crafts E-Directory Blog, or sidebar of the Everything E-Directory for product advertising.

For the button banner advertising or product picture you can choose 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or one year of sequential advertising. The prices for months 3 through 12 reflect a discount for placing sequential ads. The longer sequential period of time you advertise the less you pay per advertisement. Featured advertising button banners and/or product pictures run for the length of your sequential advertising period and needs to be 150x150 in size.

We are a family-friendly website and do not allow websites, blogs, banners, or product pictures that are not family-friendly.

I hope you'll agree that this was a great idea. If you'd like to visit our Everything E-Directory please CLICK HERE.

If you'd like more information on listing in our Everything E-Directory please CLICK HERE.

If you'd like more information on featured advertising in our Everything E-Directory and Everything E For Crafts E-Directory Blog please CLICK HERE.

I hope you decide to join us.

My New "Tips For Crafters On The Web" Blog

2007-02-17T05:01:00.000-08:00

I surely hope that I have not bitten off more than I can chew! Literally, that is. Why? Because "The Blogging Queen" has started yet ANOTHER NEW BLOG!

What? She's got to be out of her mind. She is. Or, .....I am.

So, what got into my head? Just a crazy notion overnight? Nope! Not really!

Believe it or not, but I've been mulling this one over for about a year now. That's right! For about a year.

So, Linda what's this blog about you might ask? Or, at least, I would hope you would ask.

Here's my rationale and my "Tips For Crafters On The Web" description: "Tips for Crafters on the Web" blog is my experience during the last year with setting up a small business website. I wish that when I was setting up my craft & design business that I had one source that I could go to for information. One source to at least point me in a direction. One source that could relate to my experience. One source with lists and tips, etc. This is my journal of the past year. I hope you find it helpful. I hope you find it to be your one source.

Why would I want to create a "Tips For Crafters On The Web" blog when I am not an expert on setting up small craft businesses on the web. Well, for a couple of reasons.

The first is born out of sheer frustration. I wish I had had one place to go on the web to tell me everything that I, as a crafter and pattern designer, would need to know. One place that had lists of websites for every subject, tips on where to look, and real experiences. One source, not five million.

The second reason is that I found all of the craft people that I dealt with to be so willing to help, so generous with their time and advice. I wanted to give back a little - to say thank-you. I thought by sharing my experiences during the last year that I might save another small business craft owner some time.

So, I am not an expert. I'm am a small business craft website owner who published my first website "Linda Walsh Originals" in July 2005 selling "Doll Patterns for Grown-up Girls." I now have over 30 different kinds of websites including my latest "Linda Walsh Originals Dolls" where I sell "Handmade Dolls & Crafts for Grown-up Girls."

"Tips for Crafters on the Web" blog is my journal. It's everything I have in my files. My "tips", my "lists", my "where to go", my "what to do next", my "how to do it notes", my "to do list." I thought I would relate all the experiences I have had during the last year. Hopefully, it may help some of you. I hope it does. I hope it saves you time and becomes your one source.

So, now you know why.

I hope I have not bitten off more than I can chew with this blog.

If you want to know what I might be covering just take a look at my post "So, Linda What Are Your Going To Cover?". It's a pretty ambitious undertaking I know and I may just regret it.

However, I've been collecting all my information for over a year. Before I clean house I thought I'd jot it all down in the hopes that it might benefit some of you.

I hope it does.

I Love Crafts and Craft Blogs!

2006-06-17T06:41:00.000-07:00

I definitely think I've gone Blog crazy. Why? Because I just created a new blog. Why? Because I just love crafts and craft blogs.

So, why another blog? Well, my new "I Love Crafts and Craft Blogs" will be about all the wonderful craft blogs out there. And, there are a lot of them.

I'm going to search the internet for craft blogs and when I find some wonderful craft blogs then I'm going to write about them in an article on my new blog. My article will have a short description of what the blog is about, how long it has been online, etc. and provide a link back to the blog so you can check it out yourself.

To be included you don't have to have a small business, be a professional artist, or work in the crafts industry. That's great if you do and you have a terrific blog. I want to know about you. But, if you just have a hobby or have a love of and passion for any of the following and you have a blog then I want to know about you, too.

Since the topic "craft" encompasses such a vast terrain I thought I'd start by listing exactly what I mean. If you are involved in any of the following areas or making any of the following and you have a blog then you would be included in my search for the best "craft" blogs out there:

Accessories, Altered Art, Americana, Angels, Animal Crafts, Antiques, Apparel Making, Applique, Aromatherapy, Art, Baby Crafts, Baskets, Bath & Body Products (Homemade), Beadwork, Bears, Birds & Birdhouses, Bridal Crafts, Broom Crafts, Bunnies, Button Making, Cake Decorating, Calligraphy, Candles & Candle Making, Canvas Crafts, Card Making, Cartoons, Carving, Ceramics, Children's Crafts, Christmas Crafts, Clay, Clock Making, Cloth Crafts, Collectibles, Colonial Crafts, Country Crafts, Crazy Quilting, Crewel, Crocheting, Cross-Stitch, Curtain Making, Decorative Painting, Deco Art, Decoupage, Digital Art, Dolls & Doll Making, Dried Florals, Drawing/Sketching, Egg Art, Embroidery, Enameling, Etchings, Extreme Primitives, Fabrics, Fiber Arts, Floral Crafts, Folkart, Food Crafts, FREE crafts, Furniture Making, Gardens & Garden Crafts, General Arts & Crafts, Gift Making, Glass Art, Graphics, Handcrafted Items, Hats, Hobbies, Home Decor, Holiday Crafts, Homemade Lotions, Illustrations, Jewelry, Knitting, Lace & Lace Making, Lamp Making, Latch Hook, Leather Crafts, Macrame, Magnets, Mats, Metal Crafts, Miniatures, Mosaics, Musical Crafts, Muslin Crafts, Nautical Crafts, Native American Crafts, Needlepoint, Oragami, Painting, Paper Crafts, Papier Mache, Patterns & Pattern Creation, Patriotic Crafts, Pen & Ink Crafts, Penny Rugs, Pet Crafts, Pet Edibles (Homemade), Photography, Picture Frames, Pillows, Pins, Plastic Crafts, Pocketbooks, Poetry, Polymer Clay, Porcelain Crafts, Portraits, Potpourri, Pottery, Primitives, Printables, Prints, Punch Needle, Punched Tin, Quilling, Quilts & Quilting, Raffia, Ribbon Crafts, Rubber Stamping, Rug Hooking & Making, Rusty Tin Crafts, Santa's,
Scale Models, Sculpey, Sculpture, Scrapbooking, Seasonal Crafts, Sewing, Shabby Chic, Silk Florals, Snowmen, Stamping, Stationary Design, Soap Making, Spinning, Stenciling, Stitchery, Stones, Teddy Bears, Textile Art, Tole Painting, TyeDying, Victorian Crafts, Videography, Wallpaper, Watercolors, Wearable Art, Weaving, Wedding Crafts, Wire Art, Wood Crafts, Woodland Crafts, Woodworking, Wreaths, Writing, Yard Crafts .

Also, if you are involved with creating craft projects, craft instructions, resources for crafts, craft shows, craft software, craft supplies, wholesale crafts, craft books, craft magazines, craft promotion, or craft directories and you have a blog then I want to know about you too.

I plan on starting with some of my wonderful friends blogs and the blogs that are on my "Top Blogs By Crafters" Toplist. Then my search begins.

So, if you have a small business, are a professional artist, or work in the crafts industry and you have a blog - I want to know about you. Even if you just have a hobby or have a love of and passion for crafting and you have a blog then I want to know about you, too. If you have a wonderful craft blog I will eventually find you. However, if you are anxious about my seeing your blog and want to speed up the process you could email me about your blog and I'll check it out right away. Just click on My Linda's Profile above for my email address.

And, of course, my new I Love Crafts and Craft Blogs also has a plugboard on it. It's in the right hand column. Just scroll down the right hand column a bit until you see it. If you are a crafter or small business owner please feel free to plug your website or blog.

I just love crafts and craft blogs! Don't you?

We've Got A Top Blogs By Crafters Toplist

2006-06-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

What's this? What's this? Something new, Linda?

You betcha. We started a new toplist called "Top Blogs By Crafters" and it is for all the crafters out there who have blogs.

Why did you do that, Linda? Because I don't think crafters blogs get enough recognition. We have so many fine crafters and crafters blogs that I wanted to give everyone a place to showcase their blog. My Linda's Blog and DOLLS Blog are listed. So are my "Dollie & Crafts Plugboard" blog and "Crafting for All" plugboard blog.

So, if you're a crafter who has a blog please come join my "Top Blogs By Crafters" toplist.

My topsite works the same as any other topsite. You place one of my "Top Blogs For Crafters" banners (I have a few different sizes for you to chose from) on your blog, your website, in your siggy, plugboard, etc. Any where you want your readers or customers to vote for you. The more votes that you have the higher up the list you go.

On my toplist your blog readers can comment on your blog and rate your blog. How great is that! Just think over 100 of the top blogs by crafters listed in one place.

Fabulous! Just fabulous.

So, come on all of you craft bloggers. Come join our "Top Blogs By Crafters" toplist.

Do You Have an Online E-Catalog?

2006-04-05T15:52:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon, everyone. I am in such a great mood today. Not only have I managed to accomplish several things on my "To Do" list but I've managed to update my 2006 Linda Walsh Originals E-Catalog as well.

If you are unfamiliar with E-Patterns and .PDF files then I thought I would share something I've been doing since I opened which is to create an E-Catalog of all my doll patterns. Think of an E-Catalog as an on-line portfolio that you or potential customers can download themselves.

My E-Catalog is a .PDF file with 13 pages including 90 doll pattern pictures, a cover page, back (contact) page, and invoice. Just like E-Patterns it can be read by Adobe Acrobat. It's only 5.51mb in size (which is extremely small for holding all that) as I reduced all my pattern picture images to a 1"x 1" (or so) online image size. This by itself reduced the size of the .PDF file from 20.2mb down to 5.51mb.

If you create E-Patterns and .PDF files then you know that file size is crucial for downloading and that you either have to reduce the pixels or reduce the actual dimensions of each page. I could have easily reduced the pixels down to say 200 x 200 pixels or so, too, and that would have had the same result. I just happen to prefer using 1"x 1" (or so) as it's easier than fooling around with pixels.

If you'd like to see what I'm talking about CLICK HERE.

This will open my 2006 E-Catalog up in Adobe Acrobat. If you're on a high-speed connection you won't have any problem viewing it. If you're on a dial-up connection it may take a few minutes to load.

It's hard to believe that I've created 90 patterns so far. Simply amazing. I hope you enjoyed seeing my Linda Walsh Originals E-Catalog and pictures of all my print patterns and E-Patterns. If you want to save it to your hard drive for future reference you can do so in Adobe Acrobat.

I just thought everyone might like to know about creating E-Catalogs as a means of creating an online portfolio for their small business. If you want to create your own E-Catalog you can probably use the same software that you used to create your E-Patterns. I use a combination of Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Picture It, and Adobe Photoshop to create my E-Patterns and to create my E-Catalog. I hope this information is helpful to you.

Pat Winter's "The Comfort Doll Project"

2008-01-13T09:21:00.000-08:00

I think you know that I just love the worldwide Arts & Crafts community on the web and find that everyone is so kindhearted and willing to help if they can. Well, there is an exceptional woman amongst the artists and crafters that I want to tell you about.

Her name is Pat Winter. Her blog is Gatherings By Pat Winter and her website is Gatherings By Pat Winter. However, the reason why Pat is so wonderful has nothing to do with her enormous talent as an artist. Nor does it have to do with her website or blog.

It has to do with her heart and her desire to help comfort someone else through an experience she was all too familiar with. It is because she started a beautiful project to help comfort battered woman called "The Comfort Doll Project."

I asked Pat if she would be willing to answer some questions for me regarding "The Comfort Doll Project" and she so willingly agreed.

1) What is "The Comfort Doll Project?"

The Comfort Doll Project is a program for battered and abused women in shelter's to receive a handmade doll with an inspirational note attached in hopes she feels comfort in knowing she is not alone and can get through her situation. In July I sent out an open invitation for anyone wanting to make a small doll , under 6", to be collected by me and mailed off to women's shelter's for battered women who are seeking help to better their lives and may need a comforting wish.

2) Why did you start this? What was your motivation?

What got me started was when an online group I am in, Crazy Quilting International about charity project suggestions. I knew of no other handcrafted donations given to Women's Shelter's, so I decided that would be a wonderful place to give.

Believe it or not, I was motivated by a doll I purchased from an artist, Linda Feuge of New York. I felt such a thrill and comfort in that doll and was surprised by my reaction. Having been a an abusive relationship long ago, I felt this need to offer other abused women the same experience a doll can bring. Especially when given from the heart and intended for them.

3) Since the comfort doll project began in July 2007 how many dolls have been made and how many recipients have received them?

To date, I have received 178 comfort dolls. Jo has received 14 I believe. I have shipped out 172 dolls to fourteen Women's shelters. I ship one dozen at a time.

4) How many shelters have received the dolls and what countries are they in?

Fourteen Shelter's have received one dozen dolls except one, who received 4 extras because they currently had 16 women in house at that time and felt they each needed one. All but one dozen were donated within the US. The other dozen was collected and distributed to a shelter in New Zealand by my friend and volunteer, Jo Newsham who resides there. I eventually want to send to each country from which the dolls were made and donated from.

5) What has been the reaction from the recipients? Have you received any feedback?

When I phone the Shelter's, I ask the directors if I could get a return acknowledgement after they receive the dolls so I can share it with the donors and let them know where their doll went. I post these on the Comfort Doll Blog when they arrive.

Many wonderful letters have been received and some emails thanking us and letting us know they were such a big hit with the women. There is a shelter director who is collecting comments from the recipients and soon she will forward them to me to share. When I describe our project, the usual reaction is "What a wonderful and needful thing to do". I must admit, one letter about one of the recipients had me in tears. It touches their souls, as if they were a child receiving their first doll. That's what it's all about.

6) Do the dolls just go to battered women or do they also go to battered children?

The dolls are intended for women because of the message of encouragement attached written for a woman. Also most dolls are embellished with tiny objects and beads which could harm children . I would love to do both, but I decided to direct the dolls to the women because from my own past personal experience I know the feeling of being in a bad situation.How hopeless you feel when you think you are the only one and alone. I am hoping this shows the recipient, she is not alone.

7) How often do the dolls get distributed?

The moment I collect one dozen, and I have a confirmed shelter address, they are tagged, bagged, and mailed out, usually next day.

8) How many artists and crafters are involved with the project and what countries are they from?

It is amazing, so far I have received dolls from 54 artists many sending several at a time, and the number grows weekly with interested women emailing for info. I have collected dolls from Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, England and several from France, and from 21 states.

9) Do you have to be a crafter or an artist to create a doll?

Absolutely not. I am a crazy quilter, not a doll maker,but I have learned so much from other's work. Dolls of every material has been donated, including ones made from wine corks. I believe, if it is from the heart, it's art. No labels needed to participate in the Comfort Doll Project.

10) Do you have a favorite amongst all the dolls that have been made and distributed?

There is such a variety, I could not possibly pick a favorite. To hold each piece of work in my hand gives me the warm fuzzies. I know each is made from love and from the maker's heart. Our motto is, "Given from our hearts what we make from our hands".

11) What do you tell a recipient when you give her a doll?

I wish I was the one presenting the dolls,but I only get to speak to the Shelter Directors. I let them know for whom they are intended, and from whom they are created. I ship a letter stating our intent with each box. There is a need for comforting women who have been abused and battered, some take it better than other's, and those who are frightened more than most, will hopefully find comfort and inspiration in her doll.

12) What are your long range goals for "The Comfort Doll Project?"

I wish I could continue collecting enough dolls to send a dozen to each state, then the countries from which the donors are from, then start all over again.

13) If someone wants to participate what do they need to do?

They can read about the project on my blog or web site, or they can email me anytime.
http://www.comfortdolls.blogspot.com/

http://www.patwintergatherings.com/

angell100@comcast.net

14) If you're not an artist or crafter or someone who sews is there some other way to contribute to "The Comfort Doll Project?"

Of course. You may sponsor a shipment for $5.00. That covers most of the Priority mailing fee. You will get credit as a sponsor of that particular dozen sent. You may send an encouraging message in a sealed envelope which I will include in a shipment for a woman. You really don't have to sew or be a doll maker. I just received three beautiful dolls made by a cross stitcher. She completed her design and stuffed it adding fabric on the back. Like I said, mixed media artists used weaving, corks, crazy quilting, beading, it is all in what you can think up. I do have free doll pattern sites listed on my blog for reference.

15) Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?

My intentions in starting this project was to offer a venue for women to share their creations to comfort and show support of other women. It is not a fund raiser, I am not asking for money, and would only accept money with the intent of it going toward postage. The women who have participated have found it to be rewarding in many ways. Several women have started their own shelter donations within their states and countries. I have been told various other projects have grown from this idea. It is just awesome to see hearts open and share so freely. It truly does make the world a smaller place and much warmer to live in.

I am very proud of every donor, and so very grateful for each of them. Receiving joy in giving a part of ourselves to strangers is a wonderful gift we can give ourselves, and it continues to grow as this project shows. I want to thank every donor, and you as well, for showing your support for the Comfort Doll Project.

Warmly,
Pat Winter

CLICK Here to view Pat's slide show of some of the comfort dolls that have been made and distributed.

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